Fred Thompson will be a formidable, top-tier presidential contender, despite the fact that he has never been driven to be president, said Vanderbilt political scientist John Geer. “Thompson has never been so ambitious that he is willing to do anything to be president, which could certainly be a plus in the campaign,” Geer said. “Of course, one of his greatest strengths is his rapport with the camera. Thompson demonstrated this in his recent video directed at liberal filmmaker Michael Moore. He delivered his lines flawlessly.”
Geer, author of In Defense of Negativity: Attack Ads in Presidential Campaigns, anticipates that Thompson, who began an acting career in 1987 when he played himself in the movie Marie, could do highly effective political ads that rely on Thompson to be in the spot. Geer noted that Sen. Bob Corker turned to Thompson for help when Corker’s campaign was in trouble last year. Geer also believes that talk of Thompson, a Vanderbilt University Law School graduate, as being lazy is unfair, given that he had to expend hard work and energy to be successful in his previous high-profile careers.
“Thompson has a folksy way and ability to connect with the voters, including the GOP base,” Geer said. “He will also attract some Democrats and independents.” Geer believes that John McCain could be particularly hurt by Thompson’s plans to enter the race, although Thompson could also reduce support for Mitt Romney and second-tier candidates such as Mike Huckabee. One of Thompson’s most immediate challenges will be attracting the best advisers and consultants for his campaign, since many of them have signed on with other candidates, said Geer, who has taught and written extensively about campaigns, political ads and elections.
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